Economic decision tools for water yield ROI, timber stand management, carbon sequestration credits, and agroforestry systems — powered by USDA ARS Snowtography research and USDA Forest Service data.
Sources: USDA NRCS SNOTEL | USDA Forest Service Research | Biederman et al. Snowtography Network. Reference data (2025–26).
Model SF14-E.001 · Biederman et al. USDA ARS Snowtography
Calculate the economic value of downstream water yield increase from a forest thinning prescription. Converts acre-feet of additional water into dollar value for municipalities, irrigation districts, and downstream users.
Model SF14-E.002 · USDA Forest Service / Society of American Foresters
Evaluate the financial return of a timber harvest or thinning prescription — comparing timber revenue against treatment costs, road construction, and administrative overhead. Supports Forests to Faucets and stewardship contract planning.
Model SF14-E.003 · USDA Forest Service FIA / Voluntary Carbon Markets
Estimate annual carbon sequestration in a forest stand and its value under voluntary carbon markets (ACR, CAR, VCS) or the USDA Forest Service RCPP program. Accounts for improved sequestration from thinning prescriptions.
Model SF14-E.004 · USDA NRCS / National Agroforestry Center
Compare conventional livestock or crop production against silvopasture or alley cropping integration. Accounts for establishment costs, yield changes, timber/fodder revenue, and ecosystem service payments.
Model SF14-E.005 · USDA ARS / USDA Forest Service BAER
Estimate the total economic cost of wildfire to a watershed — including timber loss, emergency watershed treatment (BAER), water supply degradation, erosion damage, and lost ecosystem services. Supports pre-fire investment justification.
Western U.S. forests and agroforestry systems represent enormous economic opportunity — water yield from forest thinning, timber harvest planning, carbon credit markets, and silvopasture integration. Dr. Joel Biederman's USDA ARS Snowtography research quantifies how forest management directly drives downstream water availability worth billions annually. These 5 models help forest managers, ranchers, and landowners capture that value. Part of AgrStak's 431-model platform — patent pending.